Karl, on the Panorama Trail, 2008

Tomorrow it will be May…and that means the 5th annual Yosemite Summit will finally be upon me. And while I say it every year, I need it this year more than ever. It’s been an extremely busy year. You can tell partly from the lack of posts to this blog! I’m glad the Summit filled up early, as I’ve not even had to time to promote it. I’ve written many times on this site why I do this Summit, this UNconference, but it bears repeating. I do this Summit because I’m lousy at “slowing down.” I’m kinda like a locomotive:  I gradually keep speeding up throughout the year. If I don’t STOP, I get going too fast. Yosemite Summit is my annual “Spiritual Pit Stop.” It’s when I reflect, pray, listen, meditate, and reconnect with God in a way and depth not possible throughout the year. And I invite a small, select group of men to join me. It is healing. It is refreshing. It is renewing. It is rejuvenating. It is refocusing. It is redefining. It is just what I need every year. Without it, I would get very cranky and empty. (If you’ve never read: Running on Empty: Contemplative Spirituality for Overachievers, you should.)

This year one of my regular Summiteers is leading his own retreat the week before mine, so Yosemite Summit is reproducing itself. Even more men are going to be unplugging from normal busy life and ministry to reconnect with God and realign themselves with the way things ought to be.

I’m really excited that for the first time in three years, Glacier Point Road is already open. This means that for only the second time since starting the Summit, our guys will get to hike the spectacular Panorama Trail! We did this hike on Year One. I skipped it on Year Two for variety sake, opting instead to do some other hikes and planning to do it on Year Three, but Glacier Point was closed. Then last year, Year Four, it was closed again! Of course, there are plenty of amazing hikes in Yosemite, but I’ve been dying to do this hike again, as it covers the entire perimeter of the Valley and ends by descending the Mist Trail (which we still did on those other years hiking up, and then down via the John Muir Trail past Clark’s Point.)

If you are a man in ministry (I no longer limit the Summit to children’s pastors, by the way) and this Summit resonates with you, please prayerfully consider joining me next year. I open registration in September, and it fills up in just a few months. So be watching for the information in August and for registration to open in September. While it is open to any man in ministry, is is especially for those who are worn out, hurting, running on empty,or going through a difficult time in ministry. It was born out of that kind of season in my life. So I’ve been there.

It is a brotherhood of men hiking together and learning together and praying together and growing together.

ALL FOR ONE - and ONE FOR ALL!

Maybe I’ll be hiking with you next year?

Yosemite Summit 2012 is now full. That doesn’t mean an opening couldn’t open up, occasionally things happen where an attendee can’t come and cancels in the last month – so if you would like to come, I would still recommend you make a deposit and register so that if an opening is freed up last minute due to any changes, you can in “in line” to attend. See complete Waiting List details.

But as of now, Yosemite Summit 2012 is already fully booked!

Looking forward to what God has in store for the guys He has brought together for this unique year. I’m taking a smaller group for this 5th year – no massive van, a new cabin, and some new ideas He has impressed upon me. It will be especially fresh for two repeat guys who are coming back.

Appreciate your  prayer for this event in the coming months.

Only a few will enjoy the vast views of Yosemite.

Only a few will be shown how to discover the quiet trails.

Only a few will be a part of Yosemite Summit 2012.

I introduced my son to Yosemite this summer

Registration is OPEN for Yosemite Summit 2012, but if you are observant, you will notice – I have not posted this year now many may attend. As I am praying about closing it early this year and taking a smaller more intimate group for this fifth Summit. So I will be closing registration once God tells me “that’s enough.” I’ve booked a smaller lodge and I may only rent an SUV instead of the usual 15 passenger van… and lowered the price… all that to say… you shouldn’t procrastinate if you have been putting this off for years.

AND I have opened it to ANY men in full time ministry, not just children’s pastors.

So curious who God will bring for a week of renewal
and spiritual healing in May 2012.

Yosemite Escape

It’s official… I have booked the Lodge for 2012, and just for fun and variety, I have booked a new one for the 5th Summit. There will be some thoughtful changes in 2012. Registration will open very soon. First of all, it will be open to any men in ministry, Secondly, it will be a smaller more intimate group. Thirdly, the smaller group means the cost drops as well. If you haven’t seen it, check out the 2011 Report.

Yosemite Summit 2012

May 20-24, 2012 – Sunday to Thursday
(Travel days Saturday & Friday before and after)

The rest of the website has NOT been updated yet. This is just an announcement on the dates for next year and that there WILL BE a Yosemite Summit 2012. Stay Tuned and start to pray about whether YOU will be one of the guys God is calling to join me next year.

• Built In Pit Stop
• Someday is Another Word for Never
• Is This Your Letter?
• The Best Thing for Your Ministry

Others have written as well about why they went to Yosemite Summit. I’ll link those another time perhaps, but you can just click through the archives. But the reality is, my life is BUSY. Don’t get me wrong – I’m doing things I love pursuing my life Mission, but if I didn’t schedule Yosemite Summit, I’d never STOP and GET AWAY and enjoy time with some guys who love God like me and just UNPLUG and enjoy nature and fellowship like you just can’t get in the hectic pace of normal life. I’m never “ready” for Yosemite Summit – it just comes, and I have to just GO. And when I get back, I have to dive in and pick up where I left off and getting this report done and a highlight video done can be a real challenge with Kidology.org to run, DiscipleTown to write and other responsibilities all while keeping my family first. (And some new and exciting things in development!)

It’s truly a gift I give myself every year that I plan to give myself for the rest of my life. AND a gift I am excited to ANNOUNCE that I am going to extend starting in 2012 to ANY MAN IN MINISTRY. No longer will Yosemite Summit be limited to children’s pastors. God has laid it on my heart that I shouldn’t be limiting this event to children’s pastors. I will explain this in more detail in a future post when registration opens and how the application process will work. But I have heard and listened and responded and God has answered your prayers, guys! On to the report.

Yosemite Summit 2011

This was the fourth Summit – and since 4 has been my favorite number since I was a kid, I anticipated it being my favorite Summit so far. I also had the advantage of three past Summits under my belt, so I am able to enjoy them even more now as I am less figuring them out and more just repeating what I’ve done in the past, though every year is unique and has aspects that make it special. This year was no exception. I especially enjoyed that this year we didn’t have to alter plans at all due to weather, which was a treat.

The newest thing this year was I made a photo journal for the guys for them to use throughout the week with color photos from past years, space to journal in and scripture to read and reflect on according to the theme of the day. Our reflective theme this year was P.A.T.H. which provided our focus for each day:

P = Peace

A = Abiding

T = Thankfulness

H = Holiness

We had a wonderful time hiking, enjoying fellowship with each other, and spending some quality time with God, the Creator of this incredible place. If you have never been to Yosemite National Park – you are truly robbing yourself of one of America’s hidden treasures. It remained hidden from the “white man” long after San Fransisco had been founded and the Ahwahnee Indians managed to divert (or at times kill) travelers over the Sierra Nevada mountains away from this this incredible valley in order to keep it a secret. It was not until the time of President Abraham Lincoln that it was finally discovered, and while Yellowstone was the first “official” National Park, Yosemite was the first land protected by a President when Abe himself declared it protected land for the people forever!

Millions travel from all over the world to behold the wonders of this relatively small valley (only seven miles in length) but only mere thousands experience the hikes that take visitors to the truly beautiful locations hidden in this gordeous place, and only Yosemite Summiteers (who stick with me on the hikes) get to see the truly hidden wonders of this magnificent park. I know the trails that many neglect and that the masses miss, and the hidden spots off the trails where one can find solitude and solace and spectacular views of God’s Creation. (I took my family to Yosemite in July and enjoyed showing my son some of “Daddy’s Spots” and Luke created a few spots of his own that we will visit again in future years!)

In case you are wondering what can be experienced on Yosemite Summit, instead of a long detailed report, as I have done in 2008, and 2009, and 2010. This year, I offer simply one word summaries of what can be experienced at Yosemite Summit and suggest if you are not one of the eight men who join me. You are truly missing out. I have no need to twist your arm. Those who join me, are the lucky ones. I already have next year almost full from the e-mails I have been getting already. So if you want to join me, you’d better sign up as soon as registration opens. It’s THAT good. I expect a waiting list in 2012. It can change your life.

Yosemite 2011: In photos and one word summaries: (Don’t Miss the Video at the End!)

ACCOMPLISHMENT

AMAZING

AWE

BEARS

BEAUTY

BRIDGES

CONTEMPLATION

DEEP THINKING

FELLOWSHIP

FUN!

JOURNEY

PEACEFUL

POWER

REFRESHING

RESTFUL

UNINTERUPTED

WONDER

WORSHIP

Do these images whet you appetite for Yosemite Summit? It is truly an event that is difficult to describe, even with words or images – or even with video, but I’ll try yet again…

HIGHLIGHT VIDEO:

If you have any questions about Yosemite Summit, I invite you to ask in this thread in my forum on Kidology.org, and I’ll be happy to answer. Basic Registration on Kidology.org is free to participate, however, Premium Membership to Kidology is required to attend the Summit.

Maybe YOU will be one of us next year?

Vernal Falls from Panorama Trail (Click to View Larger)

This is the second time I have been in Yosemite National Park when people have died on the Mist Trail. This past week, I have received so many e-mails and calls from concerned family and friends who heard about there being three deaths in Yosemite, since my family of three was there. I appreciated the concern, but we were safe. I wanted to answer, “We obey the rules.” Not to be trite or insensitive, but because when these tragedies occur they often unfairly cause people to see Yosemite as an unsafe place, when it isn’t. What it is, is a place that must be respected.

Now I must pause, and say something else – I am deeply saddened by these deaths. I grieve for the families, the loss of life – and hurt for those who are hurting right now. I have lost sleep over this. I know the place where this happened VERY well, so my dreams are vivid and I can picture the entire scene all too well. I am also angry with the heartless and cruel comments I am reading on many blogs and Yosemite websites that are downright mean – these people died as a result of foolish choices, yes, but not because of stupidity, and they did not “have it coming” nor do they deserve Darwin awards and the like. We all have made foolish and careless decisions in our lives – most behind the wheel of our cars – most do not cost us our life. So while this was a tragedy, it was not an accident. And while it was completely avoidable, sympathy for both the victims and those who loved them is in order, just as we’d want if someone we loved did something foolish and paid so dearly for it.

Nevertheless, there is a lesson for us all, in this. I’m not going to go into details of the events that occurred, other than are necessary for my point in posting about it. There are conflicting reports online – some sites have event edited there earlier reports, in part for accuracy, in part to spin it more kindly toward the victims as time goes by, which is understandable. The initial reports, I believe, were probably the most accurate in this case, though that isn’t always the case, since they were eye witnesses, I tend to believe the longer eye witness reports I read, though most of the reports have been shortened now.

Me on the Final Climb to the Top of Vernal Falls

To give you an idea of the environment – people have asked about the guard rail, here is what the setting looks like. They went over the guard rail 25 feet up from the ledge. It can be deceptively calm and there can be solid dry rock over the rail and the water can look calm. But the flow on the surface can be deceiving. And the depth can drop quickly as you move out. This picture was taken with a zoom lens from Clarks Point, which is pretty far away, but up and across from Vernal Fall:

Here is the entire fall, zoomed back:

As you can see, it is not a fall you should be anywhere near the water. It is a fall that deserved fear in the biblical sense as well as literal. Here is what is important – those who perished, especially the first two, crossed a guard rail at the top of a very high and dangerous fall that was clearly marked so:

The Sign at Top of Vernal Falls (I took this)

TEXT ON SIGN: (or click to read)

Watch your step near the water.
The rocks are deceptively slippery.

Stay out of the water upstream from the falls.

If you lose your footing, powerful currents
will carry you over the falls.
There’s no second chance.

They ignored this sign, and then waded out into the water (repeatedly actually) ignoring the cries of other hikers to come back in order to get a picture, one slipped, then the next fell trying to help the first, and they fell in together. The third entered when trying to assist the first two. The rest is sad history. I won’t go into other details, you can use Google if you want to. They are tough details to read. I want to be sensitive my readers.

Vernal and Nevada Falls at Beginning of Panorama Trail

Everyone at Yosemite wants a great picture, but there are plenty of great pictures to get without risking your life. In pictures like this one above taken on Yosemite Summit – we enjoy taking pictures that “look” dangerous, when in fact, there was a meadow behind this boulder that slowly cascaded down the hill – though the picture looks like I am on top of a rock at the edge of a cliff! There are others as well, more humorous, but due to the sadness of this event, I won’t post them here. (Vernal Fall is the lower fall to the left of me.)

In the 600+ page “Off the Wall: Death in Yosemite,” which I have read to be prepared to keep my Yosemite Summit guys safe, most deaths are climbing related (we don’t climb), and of the rest nearly all of them are completely the result of carelessness on the part of the person who died or someone with them. So in answer to the question, “Why do you do a retreat in Yosemite when people die there?” My answer is, people don’t die there unless they make foolish choices – we won’t. You are probably safer in Yosemite than you are driving home from work. I tell the guys in our orientation, quite seriously, people do die in Yosemite every year. You have to take that seriously. BUT you can simply choose you won’t be one of them.

• Over 4,000,000 people visit the park every year. Millions drive home alive. You’ll more likely win the lottery than die in Yosemite.
• Over 2,000 hike the Mist Trail DAILY, only a dozen or so have died sine 1948.

You do the math. You almost have to try to die. In other words, you have to do something foolish. Granted, you can’t avoid lightening (I know that!) but you can avoid most other things, if you are being wise and careful, and for the most part, sticking to the trail or to solid ground.

So, if you are considering coming to Yosemite Summit (or more likely, your husband is and you are concerned about his safety) please know, that Yosemite Summit is safe. We hike the trails, we use common sense, and we plan to come home to our wives and kids who we love very much. We all agree at the beginning that we will speak up if we see anyone doing anything we consider unsafe, and obey a request of another to not do anything anyone else feels is unsafe, even if we disagree. Our safety motto is WWWS, “What Would (my) Wife Say?” any time we are in doubt about climbing up or out on something for a picture. (It was WWSS the first year, “What Would Sara Say?”)

Yes, the deaths in Yosemite are tragic, and we grieve for the families and their loss. Our prayers go out to them. Reportedly, these three were Christians, that gives us extra hope. But their deaths do not make Yosemite unsafe – their deaths make foolish choices unsafe, wherever they are made, in Yosemite, in your work place, behind the wheel of your car. Life is precious and fragile.

Be careful, friends, people love you. See ya in Yosemite!

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I hope you’ll download a copy, print it out, and post it somewhere so you’ll be reminded to pray for each of us while we are on this UNconference in Yosemite from May 22 to May 26th. We will be completely UNPLUGGED from cell phones (other than a few calls to our wives), e-mail, facebook, Twitter, WORK (wahoo!) and anything that is usually a distraction from spending time focusing on our relationship with God and how we are dong as dads and husbands.

Rather than provide a list of prayer requests – safety is an obvious one – but I prefer to ask folks to pray as the spirit leads. In short – pray that it is a meaningful, impactful – and as my roommate used to say in college, a “spiritually prosperous” time.

Thanks!

But first, it is time to open registration for Yosemite Summit 2011! Every year a very small group of children’s pastors get to gather in Yosemite National Park, literally one of the most spectacular places on God’s earth to hike up beyond the Valley where the millions of annual visitors linger to spend some incredible time in prayer, in the Word and enjoying fellowship with other men who uniquely understand their struggles.

It is four days of releasing their normal life and embracing only their identity as men of God, husbands, dads and brothers. Something that they often have never done for several days in a row. No work. No e-mail. No voice mail. No nothing – but God, and each other. Creation, fresh air – and stunning views. Some of the tallest waterfalls in the world, the sheerest cliffs, the bluest skies and the most stars they’ve ever seen.

And this year, I’m introducing a self determined scholarship so that those who couldn’t afford Yosemite Summit in the past can afford to come this year – no need to apply for the scholarship. I trust you. Just opt to pay less. I know the guys with the bigger budgets will pay the full price, so the guys from the smaller churches can pay less. Please understand, there is no margin built in to this event, I’m just willing to take a loss so that the guys who need this event can come. If a church can afford the full fee, I expect them to pay the full fee, I’ve not marked it up to cover the scholarships. We simply believe in this event and truly want to be an encouragement to those who truly need a retreat like this. Believe me – I’ve been there, I know what what it feels like to need to get away, and I want to make the possible, even if it costs Kidology financially to provide that for children’s pastors. I asked my board for permission to give Yosemite Summit away at a loss if that’s what it takes to help the guys who need this event to be able to come.

Complete details are on the COST page of this site. Anyone who is interested in sponsoring a guy who needs this event, donations are welcome. But even if we don’t get any donations, I want to make sure those who NEED Yosemite Summit, aren’t kept away.

If you need Yosemite Summit – THIS IS THE YEAR TO COME! I already have several verbal commitments and one registration, so don’t delay! There are only 8 spots and I have a very cool hiking schedule and other unique plans for 2011, so register asap!

Yosemite Summit is a unique journey into what it means to be a man, husband, father and a child of God independent of your ministry and “work” for God. It has the potential to change you in very simple and yet powerful ways. Don’t underestimate the incredible impact this short retreat “unplugged” from ministry and the regular demands of life can have on your soul, your walk with God, and your family and relationships. You’ll be so glad you came to Yosemite Summit.

Explore the site, read the reports and watch the videos from previous years: 2008, 2009, 2010, read the testimonials by going back through the posts, and I think you will find this is something you’ll want to be a part of. It is truly a wonderful experience.

Karl

If it’s not a children’s pastor’s event – some ask me why I limit it to children’s pastors (or CM professionals). It’s a fair question. It is because I believe that there are unique challenges that we face as men in children’s ministry that only children’s pastors understand and we need each other to face and overcome them.

I’ve faced many of them (not always victoriously) and created this event as a way to share what I’ve learned and provide a safe and unique opportunity for men to come together – unplugged from both the demands of ministry and the busy pace of life (and electronics!) to face some things they may have never faced before and come away with a totally new perspective on themselves, their families and their ministries.

Yosemite Summit changes men in ways you can’t understand until you’ve been here. And it is only open to a very small group of men each year. And every year, I’ve had one or two come back – which is the highest compliment I can get, that it is a powerful event. Much of the feedback is too personal to post on this blog. Though some have shared. In these posts:

Why I’m Going Back – Brent

Why I’m Returning to Yosemite Summit – Pat

If you page back through this blog you will find many quotes from the guys who have been on this event – and how it has impacted their life, and I will be posting more from last year in the weeks ahead. But here is one that truly blessed me from this year from a Summiteer who asked to remain nameless, but that is typical of the e-mails I receive from the guys who have joined me on this trip – but let me say first – the credit for God working on Yosemite Summit does not go to me. I start each Summit letting the guys know, I am not the leader, just the inviter, facitator and organizer – after that, I am a fellow participant with them. After all, I created this event after discovering how much I needed this myself. God is our Host, Jesus our Guest Speaker and the Holy Spirit is our Guide.

The final quote I wanted to share:

Thanks for giving me a place where I could hear the voice of God and thanks for helping me change my life.  Yosemite Summit will be a major defining moment in my life, that as long as I live, I will see Yosemite Summit as the single event that allowed me to look inside my life and see what needs to change to make a difference in the lives of my wife and my kids. Indebted to you for life because Yosemite Summit made a difference that I have needed for so long.  Living Yosemite Summit each day from here on.

- A Yosemite Summiteer, 2010

There are only 8 spots for Yosemite Summit and THREE have already been verbally spoken for, for the 2011 Summit. Registration will be openning September 1st. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of this life-changing event.

Here is a Yosemite Summit Wallpaper to help inspire you. (1600 x 1200 719kb)

Mark your calendar for May 22-26th, 2011.

I already have several verbal commitments, so when Registration Opens at the new lower price subsided by the Kidology Foundation this year, be ready to sign up!

The rest of the site is NOT updated yet – only the dates at the top of the site. But be sure to check out the 2010 Report, and the 2009 and 2008 while you are at it.

This is your opportunity to rest and get away. You know you’ve been needing to do it. Don’t put it off another year. There is no guarantee this will be here every year. Who knows? Maybe I’ll make #4 my grand finale!